Askren, Hornbuckle Cleared for Bellator 22

Ben
Askren checked in at a fit and ready 170 pounds for his duel
with Sengoku veteran Dan
Hornbuckle (170) in the 2010 Bellator Fighting Championships
welterweight tournament final at Bellator 22 on Thursday at the
Kansas City Power and Light District in Kansas City, Mo.

The six other participants on the main card -- including 2010
Bellator women’s tournament entrant Lisa Ward
(115) and her opponent, Stephanie
Frausto (114) -- also made weight without incident at
Wednesday’s official weigh-in.

Askren, a 2008 Olympian, has secured three of his five victories by
submission. The 25-year-old Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native defeated UFC
veteran Ryan Thomas
by unanimous decision at Bellator 19 to advance to the final.
Askren was a four-time collegiate All-American wrestler and
two-time national champion at the University of Missouri. He
finished his first four opponents inside one round.

Now based at American Top Team, Hornbuckle, the pre-tournament
favorite, has rattled off 19 wins in his last 20 fights. The
29-year-old Montana native submitted Steve Carl
with a first-round kimura to punch his ticket to the final.
Hornbuckle has finished his last six foes, four of them in the
opening round. Victories against American Kickboxing Academy
standout Justin
Wilcox, former Bodog Fight welterweight champion Nick
Thompson and Pride Fighting Championships veteran Akihiro Gono
anchor his resume.

The Askren-Hornbuckle winner will challenge undefeated Bellator
welterweight champion Lyman Good
later this year.

Bellator Fighting Championships 22
Thursday, June 17
Kansas City Power and Light District
Kansas City, Mo.